Elsie Jane Sayles, age 89, of Seattle died Nov. 11 at her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born June 5, 1914, in Tacoma to Ora Belle Smith Voorhees and Melvin H. Voorhees, then editor of the Tacoma News Tribune.

She graduated from Stadium High School, then attended the University of Puget Sound and Nellie Cornish School of the Arts, where she met her future husband John M. “Jack” Sayles of Ketchikan, Alaska.

She lived in Seattle all of her adult life. She was a 60-year member of the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, and worked for years for the Diocese of Olympia and for the Olympia Churchman newspaper.

She was instrumental in founding the Epiphany Day School.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1989, after 54 years of marriage; her brother, Melvin B. Voorhees; and a baby daughter, Ora Jean.

She is survived by daughters Susan (Charles) Christenson of Bainbridge Island, Sara Sayles of Issaquah and Jane Sayles of Seattle; grandchildren Sarah (Abe) Markillie of Bainbridge Island, Samantha Christenson of Bainbridge Island, John (Tricia) Barry of Lake Sammamish and Noah Berry of Issaquah; and great-grandchildren Susannah Schaffer, Katherine Markillie and Abram Markillie, all of Bainbridge Island.

A memorial service and interment will be held Dec. 19 at Epiphany Parish in Seattle, followed by a celebration of life at the Seattle Tennis Club.

Memorials can be made to Epiphany Parish. Arrangements are by Bonney-Watson of Seattle.